The anthroposophic dietary philosophy stands for fresh and high quality food from organic sources. It is a predominantly vegetarian diet, although it does advocate milk and eggs. Even if one cannot make friends with the philosophical background – this form of nutrition is healthy in any case. If Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) – natural and spiritual scientist and founder of anthroposophy – had lived today, he would almost certainly have been an opponent of the use of genetic engineering in agriculture. In his time, at any rate, he strictly rejected growth promoters in animal fattening, pesticides in the field or chemical weed killers in the garden. What was important to him, on the other hand, was a way of life that brought body and mind into harmonious harmony with nature and the cosmos – the right diet is only one, albeit very important, aspect of this. In addition, anthroposophy as a comprehensive philosophical doctrine deals with issues of politics, religion, medicine, pedagogy and also stands for a special natural medicine, in which classical homeopathy and traditional herbal medicine are combined in a new way.
Biodynamic
Steiner’s view laid the foundation for consciously organic agriculture. To eat anthroposophically means first and foremost an ovo-lacto-vegetarian form of nutrition that closely resembles whole food nutrition. The focus as traditional staples is on the seven grains (rice, millet, barley, rye, corn, oats and wheat) and their whole grain products. Milk and dairy products are recommended because, according to Steiner, they establish “a balance between a materialistic and a spiritualized attitude of consciousness.” It is disputed whether potatoes and other nightshade vegetables, peppers, for example, or eggplants, are unfavorable for spiritual development. White flour should be avoided in favor of whole grain flour. Fruits and vegetables are also consumed in abundance. The three parts of a plant – i.e. root, leaf and stem or flowers – can have a positive influence on certain parts of the body, depending on the variety. Thus it is said that leafy salads and cabbage varieties strengthen the heart and lungs, root vegetables are considered nourishment for the nerves and head, and fruits and seeds stimulate the metabolism. According to anthroposophists, it is recommended to eat daily from foods from all three areas to achieve a harmonious balance. It is important to anthroposophists that the food is as fresh as possible and comes from biodynamic farming, as this gives it particularly vital forces. Silicic acid (silicates) is of great importance. Silica is considered as a formative agent that is effective in all life. Disturbances of the silica organism make themselves felt in posture weakness, brittle nails, dull hair and various disturbances of the internal organs. The best nutritional therapy for silica disorders is frequent consumption of cereal products that contain high levels of silicates.
Vegetarian is best
Despite all recommendations: important principle of this diet is the free choice of the person – there are neither forbidden, nor specially allowed foods. Therefore, anthroposophists at the beginning of the 20th century did not make strict regulations regarding the consumption of meat. However, it does not necessarily belong on the “anthroposophical plate” because it “binds the soul-spiritual too much into the earthly-material conditions” and “holds up the spiritually striving human being in development.” According to Steiner, with meat food something is supplied which is transformed in the body into foreign substances which have negative and uncontrollable effects in the organism.Extremely far-sighted and revealing are Steiner’s remarks on the subject of feeding meat to cattle: In one of his lectures he stated that animals which naturally live exclusively on plant food must not be fed animal protein without serious consequences. He said, mutatis mutandis, that the animal is only capable of producing meat from plant food. If it were fed animal protein, essential forces of the metabolism would lie idle, which biologically transform plant substance into animal substance. These unused energies vagabond and finally accumulate in the organism in an unimaginable way. Instead of meat being made into meat again, there is a surplus of harmful energies that lead to the creation of whole herds of crazy animals.Steiner was to be proved right – in 1986, the first case of BSE occurred in the UK.
Impetus for the Demeter movement
In 1924, Rudolf Steiner gave an agricultural course. In the lectures, he promoted an agriculture that eschewed mineral fertilizers and chemical poisons and nourished the soil with plant and animal compost. These ideas provided the impetus for the founding of the Demeter Association (1927), the oldest organic farming system under the name of the Greek goddess of fertility. The farm is regarded as a living organism that is supported by diverse crop rotation, adapted plant selection, harmonious organic fertilization and species-appropriate animal husbandry with farm-produced feed. The effect of earthly and cosmic forces on all life processes are included. The use of biodynamic preparations, e.g. from medicinal plants, is also mandatory. Followers of anthroposophy prefer fresh and as natural as possible food, but not only raw food. In their opinion, microwaves and the irradiation of food to preserve it are harmful to health. Conclusion: Even if you don’t know anything about the philosophy of anthroposophy – the recommended diet is very healthy. The diet is balanced and varied, contains a lot of fiber, minerals and vitamins, but only a few unhealthy/animal fats. It also tends to avoid alcohol, a luxury poison.
